Heat prompts Onondaga County to extend beach hours

Syracuse, NY -- With temperatures expected to reach into the 90s every day this week, Onondaga County officials are offering a little relief.

County Executive Joanie Mahoney announced today that Jamesville Beach and Oneida Shores beach will stay open two additional hours today through Friday. The beaches' usual weekday hours are noon to 6 p.m., but they'll stay open until 8 p.m. this week because of the hot, humid weather, Mahoney said in a news release.

Oneida Shores Beach in Cicero was closed for swimming last week because of high levels of E. coli bacteria in the water. But the bacteria returned to acceptable levels and the beach was reopened today, a parks official said.